May 18, 2014

Bill Callahan on being denied a chance to leave after losing play-calling duties: Things happen for a reason

Bill Callahan could be somewhere else, but he is here, because the Cowboys wanted him here.

After the Cowboys took away Callahan's play-calling duties, the Browns and the Ravens asked for permission to interview him. Dallas declined, with Callahan forced to stay for the final year of his contract as the team's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.

"I just take on the mindset that things happen for a reason," Callahan said. "I live with that, and I move on. I make the best of every situation I’m in. I’ve never worried about anything else. I’ve always had confidence in myself and my abilities to do a good job. My focus has always been to do a great job where I’m at, and everything else takes care of itself. I’m not concerned about any of that stuff.”

Callahan, who was hired before the 2012 season, took over play-calling duties from Jason Garrett last season. The Cowboys ranked 16th in total offense, and their 5,461 yards were the fewest by the franchise since 2005. But they did rank fifth in scoring at 27.4 points per game, their most since 2007.

The Cowboys hired Scott Linehan as their passing-game coordinator in January, giving him the play-calling duties. Though Callahan will continue to have a big role in the game plan, he won't have final say anymore.

“That’s all in the past,” Callahan said. “I just continue to focus in. My mindset is looking toward the future and what we’re doing here with the offensive line and my role and my responsibilities now. I really don’t look back. I just keep working forward and trying to do the best I can.”